Dodge gets slammed in Diesel Power Mag!

[WMoroni]

If the Dodge pickups get any worse mileage than my C&C I feel really sorry for you guys. In 6000 miles I've averaged about 11mpg (mixed empty/towing) plus bought 5 gallons DEF. Going to need some more pretty quick. The C&C does everything I've asked it do do so far, and it might last forever, but at the rate it goes forever is going to be a long long time. Well it probaly won't be, I figure it won't be long before I get run over trying to merge into traffic. If it weren't for the finicky automatic in my last truck I would call this one a step backward in performance. The DEF isn't the reason Ford or Chevy has the Dodges beat, my Dodge has it and it "ain't got it. " Don't get me wrong I love the truck and I wouldn't be upset with the power if the fuel mileage wasn't so bad. My 07 got 12mpg crossing the scales at 33,000, the new truck gets 12mpg empty with less power to boot.

 

[Powder Extreme]

If the Dodge pickups get any worse mileage than my C&C I feel really sorry for you guys. In 6000 miles I've averaged about 11mpg (mixed empty/towing) plus bought 5 gallons DEF. Going to need some more pretty quick. The C&C does everything I've asked it do do so far, and it might last forever, but at the rate it goes forever is going to be a long long time. Well it probaly won't be, I figure it won't be long before I get run over trying to merge into traffic. If it weren't for the finicky automatic in my last truck I would call this one a step backward in performance. The DEF isn't the reason Ford or Chevy has the Dodges beat, my Dodge has it and it "ain't got it. " Don't get me wrong I love the truck and I wouldn't be upset with the power if the fuel mileage wasn't so bad. My 07 got 12mpg crossing the scales at 33,000, the new truck gets 12mpg empty with less power to boot.

I honestly don't understand why Dodge doesn't give the C&C more power, in the other two brands, DEF doesn't add power, but the drastic reduction in emissions that it provides allows the motor to run pressures and timing that ordinarily would have resulted in too high of emissions, that's where the power and mileage comes from.



Dodge could have done the same thing. My GMC gets better mileage pulling my empty 7k gooseneck than my Dodge does running completely empty.



12-13mpg in an empty pickup is just flat unacceptable. The older Dodges and current GM's average 17-18mpg easily (my '94 Dodge would get in the low 20's) if you factor that out over 100,000 miles at today's fuel prices that's $10,000 difference in fuel cost. That's pretty dang substantial.

 

[HBarlow]

LOL, Harv, I would have been truly disappointed if you hadn't come back with some back handed comment.

I'm going to be in Texas next month picking up a gooseneck trailer, why don't you hitch up to the largest trailer you have, I'll match the weight, we both roll across the scales to verify it, then we can go do an apples to apples comparison test of our own. Totally unbiased, definitely not rigged, and the omnipotent Harvey can regulate it. When we're done, the loser can buy the beer, sound good?

PS... Pick up some Bud on the way, it'll save you a trip to buy it later. :-laf

I appreciate your kind invitation but think I'll decline.

Spending time with you bragging about your cars and trucks, claiming that your choice of other brand is superior on a Dodge-Cummins website, and expressing your unsubstantiated opinions as fact would be a lot like spending time with the brother-in-law you wish your sister had never married.

I'd rather go out and mow my grass - in the winter.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Go "PE" Go. Oo.

 

[CTaylor]

This may come off in a way that makes me sound like an ***** but here it goes. I agree with harvey in a way, this is a DODGE/CUMMINS forum if you want to blow out rhetoric and yell GM paraises from a mountain top maybe you should see about getting a refund on the remainder of your TDR subscription and go find a GM/Duarmax hugging forum. Just my 2 cents fwiw

 

[Powder Extreme]

No that's not it at all. I didn't start this thread. In fact I didn't chime in until the usual Harvey crap about how the test was rigged GM is lying etc etc. (I'm paraphrasing) So I simply offered to do a test that ole HB can see with his own eyes. Of course Harvey is too afraid to b shown up in person and resorts back to his usual insults as usual. We all know Harvey wont take me up in the offer. His mouth is much bigger than his... You get the idea.

I don't hate Dodge. I still own two of them. But the new GM really is that good. Its sad how every time somebody even says the name GM or Ford a bunch of opinionated blowhards start running their mouth.

Everything I said about GM I'm willing to back up in person. Guess that makes me the bad guy.

 

[Grizzly]

This may come off in a way that makes me sound like an ***** but here it goes. I agree with harvey in a way, this is a DODGE/CUMMINS forum if you want to blow out rhetoric and yell GM paraises from a mountain top maybe you should see about getting a refund on the remainder of your TDR subscription and go find a GM/Duarmax hugging forum. Just my 2 cents fwiw

I'll 2nd that.



george

 

[KIKER]

I have a young friend that's pretty fresh out of the Navy and is trying his hand at oilfield welding with his own welding rig. He's rigged up on an '08 GMC C/C with the Duramax. He was in some sand on a pipeline right-of-way and got stuck. I don't know what he did to try to get out, but he overheated his truck and started losing coolant. The dealer replaced one head gasket and said if that didn't fix it, they would replace the head. He's also had some more trouble on some ROW's and is getting a 6" lift kit and 35" tires to try to get his truck up and off the mesquite stumps that keep ripping things out from under his truck. Give him a few years and I think he will have it figured out!

 

[Powder Extreme]

I'll 2nd that.



george

Hmm... A while back when I told Harvey what I thought of his opinionated backhanded comments he constantly makes putting numerous people down all the time, the thread got pretty heated with posts from people on both sides of the fence. After the threads were deleted by the moderators, I received NUMEROUS private messages about Harvey and the things he has said and links to posts he had made, etc. Grizzly, you were one of the people who PM'd me...



Oh well, times change I see. Hell, I'll buy you TWO beers... one for each of your faces.

 

[rscurtis]

The issue here IMO is not whether this is the correct forum to discuss the attributes of the new Chevy/GMC. At the risk of putting words in PE's mouth, the point he is trying to make is that the GMC, which had its deficiencies, is now a real contender with the Ford and the Ram.

 

[WMoroni]

I always thought this forum was was to share information with owners of Dodge Cummins diesel trucks. I always thought this information sharing was done to make our ownership experince the best it could be with shared tips, ideas and thoughts about our trucks. Sometimes owners have more than one vehicle and one is better than the other. Let them report such, even if it doesn't fit your close minded attitude. I trade truck every 2 years but this time I waited 3 so I could buy a 2011 C&C with the the DEF because of the good reports of the new Fords. I figured if the competition was that good the dodge was going to be even better. Guess what not only did ford step up GM outstepped them. Well guess where I'm at. I'm looking at a truck with a 51 gallon tank that won't go as far between fill ups as my 07 with 31 gallon tank and I have to ad DEF to boot. Ford and Gm got their ducks in a row, Dodge didn't. My truck is super nice, rides great, has sufficent power, but could be a hell of a lot better. If we didn't talk about the other trucks how would we know what was out there? If you don't like what you hear suck it up. Competition is the key to sucess. If all Dodge owners said this is the king of the road there is no comparison I'm never buying nothing but a Dodge why would they change a thing? Dodge didn't change the Power Wagon for 25 years because it had no comparison in its class( the real ones not the sweptline). When it finally died it was an underpowered lumbering dinosaur. Closed mindedness will let that sort of thing happen. When I buy a truck I want the most reliable cost efficent truck that I can buy that will do the job I ask. Ithought my new Dodge was it but not so sure now. You know whats sad is my 1949 Power Wagon gets better fuel mileage than my new truck.

 

[WMoroni]

He's also had some more trouble on some ROW's and is getting a 6" lift kit and 35" tires to try to get his truck up and off the mesquite stumps that keep ripping things out from under his truck. Give him a few years and I think he will have it figured out!

Just another thought Dodge put the DEF tank in the most **** poor location possible. Its great if your an upfitter, out of the way and all, But try to drive through a cutover or a rutted out road and see how long it is before you have a hole in your little 8 gallon tank. Just another cost of ownership of the finest truck on the road.

 

[Powder Extreme]

The issue here IMO is not whether this is the correct forum to discuss the attributes of the new Chevy/GMC. At the risk of putting words in PE's mouth, the point he is trying to make is that the GMC, which had its deficiencies, is now a real contender with the Ford and the Ram.

Indeed. Thank you.

 

[AClayton]

I have always compared all the trucks available by Ford, Chevy and Dodge and I agree, the Chevy is a sweet ride. The Allison is a superior transmission and the Duramax is a solid performer. When you compare apple to apple... ... . ALL of these trucks have, and have had, their issues! The Ford has a very good transmission also and maybe the new PS will work out for them... ... ... time will tell. But for some members of this forum, the Dodge is the absolute best truck money can buy... ... ... ... that may or may not be true. The Cummins is the best diesel you can buy in a pickup, however, the competition is closing fast. All the benefits for Cummins ownership that were once boasted about here on TDR are slowly deteriorating and you have to be a fool to not see them. About the only remaining fact we have is that our Cummins trucks can easily double or even triple the miles on the road when compared to any PS and Duramax. They have more power,they have more power low in the rpm band, they get better mileage doing the same job, have higher GCWR's, have competitive EB's now and a slew of other things.



I personally would still opt for the Dodge if I was in the market. I think the new ones are nice looking trucks and excellent performers... ..... at the cost of poor fuel economy. But one of the few advantages of Dodge Cummins ownership right now is the price tag... ... ... . that is a huge difference. "The rules have changed' and Dodge had better step up because we at TDR are not the only ones that purchase the Cummins truck platform... ... ... all of these other bloggers that want/need more power are truck buyers also. Like it or not, we need these others for Dodge to continue to grow and build better and more competitive trucks.



Alan

 

[CUMMINZ]

I have never driven a Duramax. I have driven a new 2011 Ford and did like what I experienced. I purchased the magazine yesterday and read the article. I will say this about my 07. 5 DC. I tow what I consider a heavy load (my 37' DayDreamer). I usually gross 27k which is over the DC recommendation and this truck will take a lot more abuse. My 68rfe and exhaust brake work great with no issues. With my 19. 5s the truck is a rock on the road.

 

[5.94ever]

"I personally would still opt for the Dodge if I was in the market. I think the new ones are nice looking trucks and excellent performers... ..... at the cost of poor fuel economy. But one of the few advantages of Dodge Cummins ownership right now is the price tag... ... ... . that is a huge difference. "

Just bought a Dodge 2011 3500 DRW. I have owned two previous ones and did a lot of research on the other two before my purchase. It basically came down to 3 things; obviously the mighty Cummins, no DEF and the PRICE. I figured with the $5k to $10k in savings I could buy a lot of fuel!

 

[DBoyd]

WOW!! I didn't know I was going to open such a can of worms!! A lot of good debate and great information.

And to HBarlow, no, I am not the "internet weight police". I have seen lawsuits that have ruined people by accidents caused by too much weight. I would hate to see it happen to anyone else. I lived in S TX and traveled Hwy. 77 and 281 for years on business and observed several dandy wrecks with RV's and too much weight. Just my two cents.

 

[RVTRKN]

Hey Powder, my company has an 05 D/A 3500 for sale with 50K if your interested. They had to take it out of service because of poor MPG 8-10 MPG, with proof, at 10K GVW, and poor service record from the very beginning. We have many GM vehicles and they are the last, due to costs of ownership being too high but worse than that I lose money every time my Savanna van is in the shop. I just asked him what he thought about spending all that money on the D/A and having to look at it with the For sale sign on it. He simply stated that there will be no more GM products purchased by the company again. Now with that reputation he just can't wait to gamble on a new D/A.



For whats its worth he has a 7. 3 PS and bought one for his son just recently so he is not a Dodge enthusiast. My next truck is going to be a D/C, because he knows my C&C, and is impressed with it. He is not one that has to have the most HP, just looks at the cost of ownership.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Well, RVTRKN, we aren't really talking about previous year trucks now are we? Sure, go back 10 yrs and GM had injector issues, go back 5 yrs and Dodge had injector issues, go back 6 yrs GM had overheat issues, go back 10 yrs and the front ends of Dodge needed to be replaced (track bar, ball joints, etc. ) I've never owned a Ford, so you'll never see me offering an opinion on one (which is a lot more than a few of the members around here can say) But, I've heard of some issues in previous years with them as well. That debate could go on forever. But again, that really isn't the point, is it?

 

[Powder Extreme]

WOW!! I didn't know I was going to open such a can of worms!! A lot of good debate and great information.

And to HBarlow, no, I am not the "internet weight police". I have seen lawsuits that have ruined people by accidents caused by too much weight. I would hate to see it happen to anyone else. I lived in S TX and traveled Hwy. 77 and 281 for years on business and observed several dandy wrecks with RV's and too much weight. Just my two cents.

All you have to do around here to open a can of worms is merely mention the word Ford or GM and a few members are ready to jump down your throat, call you a liar even though you're willing to prove yourself, put you down, make fun of you... etc.



I have personal first hand experience owning numerous Dodge and GM diesels from most of the model years. All I do is offer opinions and FACTS that I have accumulated from nearly 2 million miles of driving them all, and working the snot out of them as intended. (I'm usually grossing 25k to 33k) But some of the hypocritical, opinionated, old school blowhards around here just can't accept that.



When it comes down to it, drive what you enjoy and enjoy what you drive. What really gets accomplished by making fun of members who aren't happy with their current Dodge because of the poor fuel economy, or lower power rating, or worse ride, or whatever so they start asking questions about other brands?



If I had the ability to build the perfect truck, it would be a new GM Dually chassis with an 8' bed, a new Dodge Megacab interior except for GM Denali front seats, an older 5. 9 Cummins (fuel mileage and easily modified) and an Allison transmission.